Kitten hanging by neck rescued from crawl space

SAGINAW, MI (WNEM/CNN) – Authorities were called to a home in Michigan after a cat got stuck inside a crawl space Friday.

Courtney Neiderquill came home from work and heard a strange noise.

It was an animal in distress.

"So we looked under the cupboard, and you could see there was a tiny hole and its head was popping up through it," Neiderquill said.

Neiderquill found the kitten trapped in a crawl space under the kitchen sink and immediately called the Thomas Township Fire Department for some help.

"When they finally cut a little slit and found the body hanging straight down, it was dangling by its neck," Neiderquill said.

As soon as the firefighters freed her from the piece of wood, Saginaw County Animal Care and Control picked her up and found a safe place to stay.

"We think that's she's probably between three and four months old, and as far as her overall health goes, she looks pretty good for being out on her own for so long," said Jessica Herzog of the county's Kennel Aid program.

But Herzog said not every animal is always so lucky.

The shelter recommends contacting them if the public finds an animal trapped in a similar situation.

"She could've been injured very badly because she was hanging like that for a while, and to be able to get her out, the firemen had to use their tools and cut around her to get her out,” Herzog said. “She's incredibly lucky she's a strong little girl."

And now, the kitten has a name.

Muffin doesn't know it yet, but the house she got stuck in may just be her new home.